Ezekiel's Dedication

Today we finally dedicated Ezekiel to the Lord. He was dedicated by our Lead Pastor Rick Ross. Great Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw Hinson, Grammy & Grandpa, and Uncle David and Aunt Michelle all joined us on stage to support us and pledge to help aid us raise Ezekiel Luke in the way that the Bible intends for us to do. Ezekiel enjoyed being up on stage and seeing all the new faces but wouldn't let Pastor Rick hold him. Pastor Rick tried, but he lunged for Daddy. We were given some flowers, a certificate, and a small Bible for our precious son.

Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with Ezekiel Luke, as we make a statement that he is not ours but Yours. You have entrusted us with this precious gift, and we desire to raise Him to always desire to follow You.

Malachi's Birthday Party

Malachi had his birthday party Saturday (yesterday) and really enjoyed it. He got lots of cool toys and even some money. He played with some friends in the water and watched his other friends go down the slide. Even though he likes to go down the inflatable slide, he was afraid to go down it with water. So, he hung out in the small little kiddie pool.

Malachi opening presents and cards

Getting a little help from Momma to blow out the candles

Malachi and Ezekiel playing in the kiddie pool

Malachi's best bud, Kyla, going down the slide

Malachi's cousin, Jasmine, hurling her way down the slide

***Last night when I was laying down in Malachi's new big boy bed (twin bed) with him and talking with him about his day, he said, "I got snot on my suitcase." It took me a few seconds to figure out what he was saying. What he meant was his pillowcase! He caught Ezekiel's cold and after fussing about not wanting to go to sleep, he rubbed his snot on his pillowcase and didn't want me to lay in it. How sweet!

Birthday Fun

Happy Birthday, Malachi! You are 3 years old.

Malachi's birthday presents (Lightning & Mater Chair, Mickey Mouse figurines, and a pirate counting book) waiting on him this morning

This is the first time that I remember Malachi truly interested in opening all the presents himself and looking at them all. He had a blast!

Birthday breakfast with his little brother

Since Malachi's birthday is today, and Wednesdays are always SUPER BUSY for the Honeycutt house (especially Dad), I wrapped the presents that we had for him and opened them first thing in the morning. He'll get lots more presents at his party on Saturday. Since Daddy was busy today, we met Malachi's good friend Kyla for lunch and a stroll around the mall. He seemed to have a really good time. We also turned our free (thanks Pastor A & K) double stroller into a triple. You see Kyla's Mommy didn't realize that the car that she had didn't have a stroller, SO we laid down the back seat and let Kyla & Malachi sit together. They always enjoy that. Malachi opted to get out after a few minutes and walked beside the stroller.

On Monday, we got Malachi the other part of his present. We went to Build-A-Bear where Malachi chose an elephant (only b/c they didn't have an alligator) to make and wanted it to have a race car suit. While we were stuffing the elephant, Malachi put his bop inside the animal. We both knew that he totally didn't understand, but it was time. So, now he is not sleeping with a pacifier. Unfortunately, that also means that he is not sleeping much (period). He was up until midnight Monday night and 11pm last night. He's done a lot of crying for that bop, but we're not giving in. We should have done it a long time ago, but we knew it would be difficult, and we would lose some sleep. Last summer was an awful time b/c Malachi was sick a lot, and we were remodeling our torn-up foreclosure purchase. Now, it is ok if I don't sleep because I don't have to get up at 6am to get ready to go to work. I'm just tired and not getting all the painting and organizing done that I had hoped. It will come, and potty training has been put on hold until Malachi has come to complete terms with losing his bop.

Update

Everything has been going well here at the Honeycutt house. Daniel has been working hard on summer camp registrations for the NC district children's ministry, starting KWASP (Kids' World After School Program), and doing his typical jobs at the YMCA. I have been working a lot on the house and getting that in order. I'm finally going to finish the paint job that I started last July! We were blessed to take care of a 12 mo. old for three days. Boy, that wore me out! Malachi's birthday is coming up on Wednesday, and his party is on Saturday. Ezekiel is finally being dedicated in church this coming Sunday. I'm now the commander of the "older 2s" room at church. We had over 30 kids in the 2 year old rooms last week. Can you imagine if they had all been in one room like they used to be 2 weeks ago!?! Ezekiel has all 4 molars now but not all the teeth in between. We're having a blast hanging out and running errands. Potty training is not going that well, but I hope to focus on it after things calm down. I don't know when that is going to happen, but it will at some point (I hope). We're getting a brand new roof on our house thanks to all the hail storms that we have had (at least 4) in the past 2 months. Ezekiel is doing great from having his tubes in. Everything was clear when we went to the doc last week. I'm not getting much "rest" on my vacation but at least I can sleep past 6:30 every morning. Mr. B (a friend from church) cut down 2 of our trees in the back yard and will probably do one more. Daniel and I had to clean it up, but we will have a much better back yard soon. Woo-hoo! Thanks, Mr. B. I think that is all of my musings. Here are some pictures.

Concord First Assembly celebrated its 50th anniversary on Father's Day in June. To celebrate, they combined their typical Fourth of July celebration and the 50th parties together. On Father's Day, there were inflatables, food, drinks, entertainment (different Christian bands), and to end it all, there were fireworks! Happy Belated 50th Birthday, CFA!!!

"Super powers da res-you" (Super Powers to the rescue!)
I'm not quite sure where he got that from.

Ezekiel signed...

MORE!

This is the first time that Ezekiel has signed more correctly and completely unprompted. I was sooo proud and excited. We haven't done that sign a lot lately b/c he has never really seemed to want to use it. I'm soooo excited. He won't do the sign for all done anymore, but he used to do that one unprompted at times.

Yay!!!

A Brothers' First

Yesterday, our boys had their first brotherly "fight." Malachi was playing with some toys and did not want to share with Ezekiel. Z went over and got Malachi's toys anyway. Malachi snatched them back and started lightly poking Z in retaliation for taking "his toys." Ezekiel took a second to compose himself, and before I could fuss at Malachi, Z went over and bear hugged Malachi and pushed him down on the floor. It was great! Then, they laughed and played together. It was sooo funny!

I wanted to make sure that I documented it. My 19 lb. 16-month-old can hold his own against his 35 lb. about-to-be-3-year-old brother. It's on now!

I've put some random pictures down below that were taken on Monday (not the day of the fight)!Brothers with "matching" Sold Out Soldier in Christ's Army shirts

This is what Ezekiel looked like after feeding himself dinner (yogurt included). That boy LOVES to eat with a spoon and fork!

What's up, Dawg?
This is Malachi's hat the we bought him at the beach. He didn't take it off for about 3 days. He slept in it, and only took it off to bathe. Funny boy!

Wrestling with Momma before bed

This bird took up residence for about 12 hours on Malachi's bike. It didn't seem to be scared of us until Kiev came out being the bully that she is:)

Vacation at North Myrtle Beach (June 16-20)

Grandpa & Grammy got a 2 bedroom condo and invited us to join them for a few days. We had a blast playing in the sand, jumping waves, riding the lazy river, and many other things (oh, yeah, and eating, too)!

All tuckered out from a day at the beach


Malachi did not enjoy looking at all the fish in the "dark." If you can see his face, you can tell that he had been crying. He cried the whole time that we were looking at the fish. The only time that he was happy was when we were in the center of the aquarium where there was a touch tank and other hands on items with a lot of natural light. Ezekiel seemed to enjoy it, though, and take it all in well.

Outside Ripley's Aquarium
Thanks to Grandpa and Grammy for sitting in on a 2 hour meeting on their timeshare so we could all go to the Aquarium for free (and our anniversary dinner). It was fun!

Malachi-isms

• "she-shul drint" - special drink (usually an apple juice slushy from Sonic)

• "fradg-rae-are" - refridgerator

• "No, My can reach it" - No, I can't reach it.

• "Betty" - what he used to call Grammy, but we have worked on it so , now it is "Rammy & Ranpa" (Grandpa)
• "Shate, shate, shate your boo-TAY" - you get the idea (Oh, how funny)
• "Da wor-sa you. Ha-you-ya. Ha-you-ya." - We worship you. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. (Malachi loves to sing---wonder where he gets that from?---and will often bust out in spontaneous song and expect me to join in---except on his ABCs)
• "Win-down-rain in his hans" - [He's got the] wind and the rain in his hands.
• "Kidz-wheel" - Kids World (where Daddy works some and they have cool toys)
• "Fwaint-you" - Thank you---a whole lot better than "da-doo" yeah!
• "se-nen" - seven (my favorite to hear him say)
• "em-em-em-em-ma-pee" - L, M, N, O, P
• "dub-a-doo" - W
• "sung my AB, ABCs..." - Now I've sung my ABCs...
  

I'm working with him on changing his My to I most of the time. So, far he's doing ok. He also improved on Grammy (as stated before) and I love you. We are working on shapes and recognizing numbers and letters. He knows the important M, Z, K, and D. The rest are a little shaky. He can recognize 1 & 2 pretty well, too.

***We also went to the beach last week. I'll try to get some pictures out soon. I've been super busy since school has been out, and I want to get all the junk piles cleaned up around the house and get some order going on. I mean, seriously, its been a year of clutter and little order! I'm struggeling.

***Oh, yeah, it looks like we will be getting a new roof thanks to all the hail storms (like 4) that we have had this spring. Woo-hoo!

It's Over!!! (Clap, Clap, Clap)

Ezekiel was scheduled to have tubes put in his ears at 7:30am, so of course, we had to be there at 5:45am for a 5 minute "surgery." Today was the last day of school for students, as well. So, we arrived on time and had to wait for awhile. I was up at about 4am, and Daniel got up about 4:45am. We got Z up at about 5:15. Malachi was still sleeping while Grammy came to stay with him.

Anywho, about 6:45am they gave him some tylenol and something to make him a little woozy & distant. He was hilarious! He was talking like crazy and definitely a little "drunk" acting. They took him away from us at about 7:05. We waited for about 5 minutes in a "conference" room. A nurse came in to say the doctor was done and would be in in a minute. We waited back out in the waiting room for about 5 more minutes. I went and held him in recovery about 7:20. It took us a little while to recheck all his vitals and get him out of his gown. I forgot my camera, so I only have a pic on my phone of him in his little hospital gown. We were home by 8am, and I was at work by 8:45am. Ezekiel wanted to play when we got home, but he was still quite woozy, so we made him lay in his bed for awhile. Grammy said that he was awake for awhile but never whined (it's a good thing, since Grammy's recent surgery wouldn't allow her to pick up our child).

He took 2 naps today and had a good afternoon/evening. He has wanted to play but also a little more clingy & whiny than usual. I was thrilled, though, at how well he did all day. God totally blessed this little boy's surgery and day.

The doctor said that there was some pretty thick fluid behind both ears, so we definitely made the right choice. I'm sorry, Ezekiel, for passing down this horrible ear issue! God was taking care of you, though. Those are the best hands to be in!


***Side note: While Ezekiel had the hearbeat thing on his toe (when he screamed the most), I discovered that he had 2 one-year-molars! How does that happen? He only has 4 other teeth on top and 2(!) on the bottom. So, he has 6 on top and 2 total on bottom, but he has about 3 bulging spots on the bottom. Go figure. How weird?!?

The Verdict

Ezekiel has his surgery to get tubes in his ears set for Tuesday early in the morning.

Apparently, he also contracted a virus that gave him an intense fever for 24 hours and now a sort of rash. Thanks, antibiotics, for killing all the bacteria (good & bad) in my son's body and allowing his defenses to be weak.

I just want this vicious cycle to end---not to mention it is the end of the school year with exams and TONS of paperwork. Oh, and I'm expected to teach students who think life is over after End-of-Grade tests. How fun!

Ok. I'm done complaining. God is good. I'm alive. I have food and a roof over my head and a family who loves me. And, God has given me all that I need. It's good to put my complaining in perspective. Good night all.

Dear Ezekiel,

You are a little over 15 months now, and you continually show me how little I know about raising boys. You and your brother are so completely different, yet you love each other unconditionally. I'm afraid, though, that one of the things that makes you less like Malachi is what you have inherited from your mother. You see, Malachi got lots of allergies from his dad. You got the ear infections. You've only had 2 ear infections, but the first took over 2 full rounds of antibiotics to get rid of. A few months later, you got another ear infection, and we've been through about 4 rounds of antibiotics now. Each time we would take you to the doctor for a follow up, I would hear..."There is no more infection, but there is still some 'healthy-looking' fluid behind the ear drum." When we would finish up the round of antibiotics and an ear infection would come up a day or two later. It's not fair, I know. Sooooo...we are going to the Ear, Nose, & Throat doctor on Friday for an initial appointment. I'm assuming that tubes are the next step, and I'm OK with that. I have not been happy with how many high-powered antibiotics you have been on in your short little life. They kill all the bacteria in your body that causes infection, which means that all the good bacteria inside of you is killed, too. Your little stomach must be torn up. I can tell by your poops.

I've been wanting to get rid of your bop during the day, and only use it at sleep times, but with the past month and a half, I've abandoned that thought until we can get you better. Malachi will be getting rid of his bop this summer as well as going to Potty Training Boot Camp. So, I figured it would be a good time for you to get rid of that nasty pacifier that I never wanted you to have but others insist that you use. I've only got two more weeks of work until I'm out for summer, so look out!

You are sooooo, soooooo, sooooooooo SMART. You can pull yourself all the way up on the toilet seat all on your own. You can step up on the stool in the bathroom to see the fish and get down safely. You understand most of what I am saying, like "let's go wake up Malachi." Just yesterday, you finished off your milk in the car and shook the bottle in your hand and said, "ah-da" (all done). You say "da-da" when you see Daddy. You can say, "ba-ba" (bye-bye) when leaving someone---if you are in the mood. You used to sign thank you, but you don't care to do that anymore. You can take one of your cars and push it on the floor like it is supposed to be used. You love to push your lawnmower around the house that your Nana & Maw-maw bought you. You can eat with a fork or spoon (when you want). Just today, you were eating rice & beans really well with an adult fork. You go, boy! AND, YOU CAN'T SIT STILL EVER, AT ANY TIME, AT ANY MOMENT THAT YOU ARE AWAKE, EVER. You are all boy, but so different from your brother.

I think you may be the rebellious one compared to your brother. I'm not comparing to say that you are worse or better, but your brother was all that I knew until you came along. And, I am totally amazed at how God can cause 2 boys, 19 months apart, with the same parents to be sooo incredibly different.

I love to see you smile. After a day at work, you will run as fast as your little legs will carry you into my arms for your needed hugs. You are a Momma's boy right now. It's Ok by me. I enjoy the cuddles while I can get them. The stillest moments of your day, besides when you are sleeping, is when I am carrying you around. You like to dance to music (even when Malachi & I are singing). You try to talk to us and join in our conversations at time. I just have one more thing to say...

Can you please stop growing up so fast? You'll be speaking in sentences in about 6-9 months. Stop being so advanced! Can't you stay young a little longer (I'd say small, but you are still small--19 - 20 lbs. on any given day)!

I can't imagine life without you, and I am so proud to be your Momma. Thank you for being such a sweet, sensitive, and incredible little toddler. God has blessed us with the best "surprise" that we could have asked for.

-Momma

Malachi's Special Day

Yesterday was "Malachi's Special Day." Daniel had gotten some circus tickets the day they went on sale, and we planned on just taking Malachi and getting someone to watch Ezekiel. The boys rarely do things separately, but we thought Malachi might enjoy just getting to spend time with his Mom & Dad without a little brother to take attention away.

We dropped Ezekiel off at Grammy & Grandpa's house and headed to R&R for breakfast. Malachi tore into some grits, while Daniel & I had eggs, bacon or livermush, grits, & toast. While we were waiting for our food to be delivered, Malachi was making "towers" with the jelly packets. He was a little sad to be away from his little brother and not be at Grammy & Grandpa's, but when he realized how much attention he was getting from both of us, he was fine. We headed to the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center for Ringling Brothers' Boom a Ring (just a 1 ring circus). The show started at 11am, but they do a sort of "meet the cast" and little "games" to do for the kids an hour before, and we arrived about 10:20. We got some popcorn and a coke (b/c Heaven knows we were not paying $16 for a mini-flashlight with some animals on it). Once we took our seats, the lights went out, and Malachi FREAKED OUT! We payed for his seat that he sat in for about 3 minutes. He spent the whole show in my lap, the first half---crying. He kept saying, "My doe bye-bye." At intermission, the lights came back up, and he munched on some popcorn and calmed down. He still sat in my lap and forced me to keep my hands over both his ears most of the time. He did enjoy seeing the white tigers and the "dog whisperer"/trainer. He leaked through his pull-up, so I got cried on, snotted on, climbed up, and peed on! Overall, though, we all had a good time, and Malachi enjoyed sharing about his experiences.

We went back to Grammy & Grandpa's to pick up Ezekiel who was down for his 3-4 hour nap. Malachi played and ran at their house, which suited him just fine. We had "lupper" from Bojangle's at their house, then headed home about 5pm. Both boys seemed to enjoy their time away from each other, but were extremely happy to be united.

The night before we attended Cousin Jasmine's kindergarten graduation at FA. Afterwards, we ran through Sonic to get Malachi a "she-shul" drint (special drink). We put the leftovers in the fridge overnight, and he was drinking on that all morning and afternoon.

***Congratulations, Jasmine, on your K graduation. David, my bro., pointed out that we'll have a K graduation almost every year for the next few. Callie should be next year. Skip a year, then Malachi. Avery is next. Lastly, Ezekiel. There may be more K graduations eventually, but these are all happening very close together. I don't know if any of Grammy & Grandpa's children are officially "done" having children yet. Only time will tell!

I'm thankful & frustrated

I am sooo thankful that I am not pregnant or nursing right now. I've been done for about 4 months now after a spell of over 3 years! My hair would fall out at astronomical rates during the nursing process, and my hair had become quite thin. Now, my hair is not falling out at alarming rates, but it is finally growing like normal! The only problem, I have little, short hairs all along the top of my head that do not like to cooperate. It makes it look poofy! I guess that's the price you pay. At least its getting thicker. I am very grateful, and it is sooo nice to not have the thin hair that I've had for about 3 years, it is great!

Also, Ezekiel had ear infections in both ears, after taking him back to the doctor on Thursday. He got a higher powered antibiotic and is doing better, but he is still pretty sick. He just has never done well with antibiotics and ear infections. I wonder who he gets that from!

The Long, Awaited Pictures

April 25, 2008
A Night at the Intimidators

"No, My sun-dasses (sunglasses) on"

"Doe (go), baseball!"

Ezekiel loves, him, some popcorn!

Yes, he's cute! I don't think anyone watched much of the game.
Ezekiel had many people who were very interested in him.
He was often the center of attention. Go figure!

February 23, 2008
My day with my two little boys

"Watch me, Momma!"

"No, My swing!!! My det (get) out, now!!!!!!!!"

I couldn't resist this picture.

On the way down

Ezekiel LOVES this ball and just about any ball that he can get his hands on.

They're coming!

Throw it here, Malachi.

On the outside, looking in

Bark tastes better than most of the food you feed me, Momma.

"My mate (make) ice-tream (cream)"
Malachi got this idea from a little girl who was playing in the same area at the park with her dad. He acted like it was a store window and would "make" ice cream (pile of wood chips) and bring it to me. How fun! I love wood chip ice cream!

On the Way Up

Malachi is beginning to feel better now that he's been on an antibiotic since Tuesday night. I am soooo glad. His behavior has been almost unbearable lately. Well, yesterday evening we had dinner with friends and then went out to run some errands. He was sooooo sweet. I had forgotten how much I had missed that boy! Apparently, he had been sick longer than I anticipated. He still had his "terrible" moments a few times at dinner, but he was sooooo wonderful after that with little to no complaining! Wow! Next time he starts to get really ornery, I will know to take him to the doctor. Sorry, buddy! I don't know if you don't tell me. You gotta let me know. I'm sorry!

We're going to an Intimidator's (Single A minor league team) baseball game, again, tonight. We went 2 weeks ago and had a blast! I need to post pictures. I know, I know.

I'm completely done with school on Thursday, June 12th---my last day!

Daniel had a ceremony to honor his achievement of being ORDAINED with the Assemblies of God at the NC District Council on Wednesday. Way to go, Daniel!

Sick, Again

Just about 2 weeks ago, I was bragging to my colleagues at work at how it had been about 2 months of the whole family being HEALTHY. Then, last Monday I had to take Ezekiel to the doctor. He had a cold that turned into an ear infection in his left ear. He went on antibiotics immediately and seemed to improve. By Wednesday (last week, still), Malachi had the cold part, but he usually will get over them quickly. The last time that he was "sick" at the doctor was right after Z was born. That's over a year!

So, this afternoon, I took both the boys back to the doctor. I thought Ezekiel might be not responding to the antibiotics, but he is doing fine with about 2 days left with his medicine. Malachi has a double ear infection with a deep cough. He was prescribed a round of antibiotics and some cough medicine. I hope that all will improve. Malachi has also have seemed to hit the "terrible" part of the twos, also. It's been a rough few days

My Day with My Boys

Yesterday (Wednesday), I was forced, uhhh coerced, uhhh privileged to spend the day with my two little boys. We couldn't find anyone who could care for the boys, so, since Daniel had something to do, I had to take the day off. What a bummer! At first I was a little miffed, but as I began to see all the cool things that I could do, I began to lighten up. So we...

• went to Babies R Us to get a gate to close off the kitchen from the living room (over 5 feet)
• went to a consignment shop nearby to get a puppet a shirt ($4)
• had lunch at home
• took naps (not I said the cat)
• washed dishes, washed clothes, folded clothes, vacuumed (you get the idea)
• went to the park (for the first time with both boys)
• had dinner at church (as is our Wednesday custom)
• attended service/class at church
• went home

I got some pretty good pictures of the boys at the park. I'll try to post those later within this post. I'm on a different computer that I can't download pictures easily. The park was the highlight of the day! Both the boys were able to slide, crawl/walk on the "toddler" equipment and play with a few random children. Malachi still doesn't like to swing! He loved it when he was a baby. Go figure.

Ezekiel Can...

• say and wave bye-bye "baa-baa" - he usually throws one hand up and open and closes his fist to wave
• say and sign all done "aaa-daa" - he will throw both hands up in the air and open and close both fists
• say "Da-Da"
• sign 'more' by putting his index finger to his open palm (usually with some help---he's not good at this one yet)
  
• sign 'thank you' by putting his hand to his open mouth
  
• Praise the Lord when asked to do so and smile
• Give his Daddy 'five' when asked
  
• climb up unassisted into Malachi's toddler bed
• catch on to everything around him super fast
  

Malachi-isms

• "shish a burrs" - fish & bears (pretzel goldfish & Teddy Grahams)

• "shretch shries" - french fries

• "yeah, me, too" - as in, conversations today---MJ: Momma, My put my un-wear in the trash (I put my underwear in the trash). Mom: Good job, Malachi! MJ: Yeah, me, too!---How funny!

• "Da-doo, hav-in doo-dles" - Thank you, helping, noodles---Thank you for helping me eat my noodles
• "My car in Mommy-Daddy room" - My car is in Mommy & Daddy's room. He likes to arrange the pillows in a certain way and pretend it is a car or a train.
  

Such a Long Way

Malachi James' Journey (thus far)

From This

(2 weeks)

To This

(10 months)

To This

(20 months)

To This

(2 years & 8 months)

Ezekiel Luke's Journey (thus far)
From This

(4 days old)

To This

(5 months)

To This (previous post---13 months)